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President Biden Set to Sign Landmark Bill Granting Full Social Security Benefits to Millions of Retired Public Workers

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WASHINGTON — Nearly three million retirees who have been denied full Social Security benefits due to their public pensions are set to receive them thanks to new legislation signed into law by President Joe Biden on Monday. The Social Security Fairness Act eradicates longstanding federal policies that have reduced benefits for public service workers, including teachers, police officers, and firefighters. For decades, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) diminished the Social Security payments of individuals whose careers were predominantly in positions not covered by Social Security. This legislation, long overdue, … Read more

Scranton Sign Controversy Follows Clemency for ‘Kids for Cash’ Judge

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Scranton, Pennsylvania is in the middle of a contentious debate over the proposal to name a street after Mark Ciavarella, a disgraced former Luzerne County judge involved in a shocking judicial scandal. The controversy centers on Ciavarella’s recent clemency, which has revived bitter memories about a case nationally known as “Kids for Cash.” In the “Kids for Cash” scandal, Ciavarella and another judge, Michael Conahan, were accused of receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks from the developers of private juvenile detention centers. In return, they were found to have handed down harsh sentences to children … Read more

Missouri Federal Court Strikes Down Halloween Sign Mandate for Sex Offenders as Unconstitutional

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ST. LOUIS, Missouri — In a significant ruling, a federal judge has declared that Missouri sex offenders are no longer required to display “no candy” warning signs outside their homes during Halloween. This decision challenges part of a state law enacted in 2008 aimed at preventing interaction between sex offenders and children during the holiday. The judge’s ruling specifically targets the requirement for registered sex offenders to post signs indicating that no candy or treats are available at their residences on Halloween night. The ruling by U.S. District Judge John Ross, delivered on Wednesday, marks … Read more

Missouri Judge Strikes Down Halloween Sign Requirement for Sex Offenders, Citing Constitutional Rights

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ST. LOUIS, MO — A federal judge in Missouri has overturned a state law requiring sex offenders to display “no candy” signs outside their homes during Halloween, describing the measure as unconstitutional. The 2008 law, which also prohibits registered sex offenders from interacting with children or leaving outdoor lights on during the holiday, faced legal challenges concerning the infringement of First Amendment rights. U.S. District Judge John Ross, ruling on the case, stated that the requirement to post such signs compelled speech, an action he found constitutionally unjustifiable. This decision will affect regulations starting this … Read more